Sometimes you need to request someone else's birth certificate in Spain, for example a family member's. The good news is that Spanish law generally assumes that if you are asking for one, you have a legitimate reason to.
There are, however, some sensitive cases where you need to prove that legitimate interest before you can get access. These include cases involving adoptive parentage, sex correction, or a change of surname. In these situations, you cannot simply request the certificate, you have to show why you need it.
What this means for you
Outside of those exceptions, a third party can request someone else's birth certificate directly from Spain's Civil Registries. The one extra rule to know: if the certificate is for a minor, the person requesting it must be the father, mother, or legal guardian.
